Abby Lietz, Herald Journal Reporter
Details on the groundbreaking of BioTown's Technology Suite, which is scheduled for sometime next month, have yet to be finalized but interest is already moving beyond gasifiers and anaerobic digesters.
During their meeting Monday morning, the White County Commissioners and White County Council agreed to pen a joint letter of support for a potential ethanol plant that could be moving in north of Reynolds.
Presenting the request for such a letter during the meeting was Connie Neininger of the White County Economic Development Organization, who stressed that at this point, the proposed ethanol plant is just that, proposed.
She did explain to the council and commissioners that , which has facilities in both South Dakota and Iowa, is exploring the option of partnering with the community to construct a 110 million-gallon ethanol plant that would bring a roughly $150 million investment and up to 50 permanent jobs to White County.
Although their interest in the area was peaked before BioTown, Neininger said VeraSun's attraction was further stimulated by gathering media attention and the overall progress of the project thus far.
But it's important to remember the plant isn't a sure thing just yet.
"Because of the railways in all directions and transportation and utilities it's a prime location; that's what kind of pulled them in," said Neininger. "We're still in the running. It's not a done deal."
As part of the consideration process, a letter of support for the plant will be sent from White County to the Indiana Economic Development Corp. as a way of garnering financial support and other incentives if VeraSun Energy Corp. chooses to locate north of Reynolds.
The letter, explained Neininger, is crucial for securing state support and the proposed project's success. The fact that the county, both council and commissioners, are in agreement to back an ethanol plant makes a more compelling argument to the state, she said.
Charlie VanVoorst, Reynolds Town Council president and a member of the BioTown authority, said he believes VeraSun's interest in locating a plant in Reynolds is sincere if not definite quite yet.
"They've put in a lot of work. They want to be here if we can make it work," said VanVoorst. "They're still looking at two or three different sites but we're pretty high on the list."
He added that word from VeraSun on if the plant is a 'go' should come by mid-November.